Efficacy and safety of aspirin in preventing venous thromboembolism after hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fracture: a noninferiority prospective cohort study.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication after hip arthroplasty. Here, we investigated the clinical efficacy and safety of prophylactic aspirin vs. conventional therapy in hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fracture.

Methods: Patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures between April 2021 and April 2024 were prospectively enrolled. Group A received oral aspirin (100 mg, once daily) as VTE prophylaxis; Group LR received low-molecular-weight heparin (4,250 U, once daily) sequentially followed by rivaroxaban (10 mg, once daily). The patients were followed up for 90 days postoperatively. Safety and efficacy were comprehensively evaluated based on postoperative VTE incidence, laboratory blood tests, bleeding events, and other complications.

Results: Group A was noninferior to Group LR in preventing VTE (incidence rates of 11.6% and 10.1%, respectively, with a rate difference of 1.5%, 95% CI: 0.7-2.3%, P for non-inferiority test = 0.017). There was no significant difference between the groups in the incidence of bleeding events (3.3 vs. 8.4%; P = 0.092). Furthermore, the rates of other complications did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusion: In patients undergoing hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures, the efficacy and safety of oral aspirin for preventing VTE was similar to that of low-molecular-weight heparin followed by rivaroxaban.